Филиппин крокодилі: Қорғау және эволюциясы

Species of crocodile

The Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis), also known as the Mindoro crocodile, the Philippine freshwater crocodile, the bukarot in Ilocano, and more generally as a buwaya in most Filipino lowland cultures, The Philippine crocodile, the species endemic only to the country, went from data deficient to critically endangered in 2008 from exploitation and unsustainable fishing methods, such as dynamite fishing. Conservation methods are being taken by the Dutch/Filipino Mabuwaya foundation, the Crocodile Conservation Society and the Zoological Institute of HerpaWorld in Mindoro island. It is strictly prohibited to kill a crocodile in the country, and it is punishable by law.

Until 1989, it was considered a subspecies of the New Guinea crocodile (Crocodylus novaeguineae). They are now recognized as closely related but separate species.

The genus Crocodylus likely originated in Africa and radiated outwards towards Southeast Asia and the Americas, Phylogenetic evidence supports Crocodylus diverging from its closest recent relative, the extinct Voay of Madagascar, around 25 million years ago, near the Oligocene/Miocene boundary.

Below is a cladogram based on a 2018 tip dating study by Lee & Yates simultaneously using morphological, molecular (DNA sequencing), and stratigraphic (fossil age) data, as revised by the 2021 Hekkala et al. paleogenomics study using DNA extracted from the extinct Voay. Adults rarely exceed and , and only the largest males attain record maximum size of up to , perhaps reaching the maximum weight of in exceptional individuals. Females are slightly smaller than males. Philippine crocodiles are golden brown in color, which darkens as they mature.

The Philippine crocodile has been extirpated in Samar, Jolo, Negros, Masbate, and Busuanga. Populations still survive in the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park within the Luzon rainforest, San Mariano, Isabela, Dalupiri island in the Babuyan Islands, Abra (province) in Luzon and the Ligawasan Marsh, Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, Pulangi River in Bukidnon, Paghungawan Marsh in Siargao Island, and possibly in the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Mindanao. The Philippine crocodile wildlife populations that reside in these locations live geographically isolated from each other, which ultimately impacts their population level differentiation and decreases genetic diversity. It was historically found in parts of Visayas and until the numbers were drastically cut by, mainly, habitat destruction. These crocodiles eat ailing fish in a significantly higher proportion than healthy fish, thus improving the common health of the fish stock. By preying on the most common fish, they balance the fish population; any species which suddenly becomes dominant is put back in its proper proportion. Crocodile droppings are nutritious for the fish and contain critically important chemicals.

Crocodylus mindorensis is considered to be the most severely threatened crocodile species in the world, listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. Although this species was once found over the whole of the Philippines, it is now critically endangered. In addition, very little is known about the natural history or ecology of the species, or its relationship with Crocodylus porosus, whose range it overlaps. More surveys are required to determine the present range. Initial population reduction was through commercial exploitation, although the current threat is mainly from removal of suitable habitat for agricultural purposes to satisfy a rapidly expanding human population. Governmental support for any conservation measures is limited, and the crocodiles are often killed by the local populace. Long term captive breeding and release (through PWRCC, Silliman University, and international breeding centres) is judged to be the best course to take at present, although a management program is imperative for the remainder of the wild population (most of which reside in only one protected area). In 1992, fewer than 1000 animals were estimated to remain in the wild. In 1995, that estimate was revised to be no more than 100 nonhatchlings (hatchlings are rarely counted in surveys because their survival rate is so low). One of the threats to the diminishing population of Philippine crocodile is because it is misunderstood. In mainstream Filipino society, crocodiles are considered dangerous man eaters and compared to corrupt government officials and law enforcers. They are respected by the indigenous community: in research conducted among permanent residents of Lake Panlabuhan, a tributary of the famous Agusan Marsh, the acceptance of the crocodiles among these residents is very high and their risk perception is very low. However, the crocodile have an image problem with outsiders. To many, they are viewed as man eaters. In reality, the crocodile is small and will not attack people unless provoked. Since October 2021, C. mindorensis has been classified as Critically Depleted by the IUCN. The killing of crocodiles seems to be the major cause of the decreasing number of this species. In northeast Luzon, a community based conservation approach developed under the Crocodile Rehabilitation Observance and Conservation (CROC) project was adopted with the aim of reaching sustainable co habitation of crocodiles and local people. The Philippine crocodile became nationally protected by law in 2001 with the enactment of Republic Act 9147 known as the Wildlife Act. It is punishable to kill a crocodile, with a maximum penalty of ₱100,000 (equivalent to about $2,500).

This crocodile was featured in National Geographic's Dangerous Encounters hosted by crocodile specialist Dr. Brady Barr. In one of the episodes, Barr sought to be the first person to see all species of crocodiles in the world. Fortunately, he was able to see a Philippine crocodile that was about two weeks old. The hatching of a Philippine crocodile was recorded in GMA News Born to Be Wild. They also recorded that tropical fire ants, an invasive species, eat unhatched endangered bukarot eggs. The media team saved a nest from a fire ant attack. Also recorded were adult Philippine crocodiles.

Aside from the general term buwaya or buaya (which generally apply to C. porosus but can also apply to C. mindorensis in languages where the two species are not differentiated), they were known by various names throughout the islands. In Spanish colonial records, the two species were often differentiated as cocodrilo (for C. porosus) and caimán for (for C. mindorensis), but this distinction is not followed by English dictionaries and translations.